NEW YORK – Japan plans to propose taking up the issue of air defense identification zones with the International Civil Aviation Organization as it did last November after China’s declaration of an ADIZ in the East China Sea that covers the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands.
The ICAO, a U.N. agency working to promote the safety of international civil aviation, started a council meeting in Montreal on Monday. Japan, the United States and China are among the various nations sitting on the council.
At its November meeting following China’s ADIZ move, Japanese representative Toshihiro Koda cited concerns about the order and safety of international civil aviation being threatened. China is demanding commercial airlines flying through the zone present flight plans.
An ADIZ serves as a parameter outside territorial airspace for a country to monitor movements of aircraft.
Koda called for discussions on what the ICAO can do to ensure freedom of flight over the high seas.
The Japanese proposal was endorsed by the United States, Britain and Australia, but opposed by China.
A Foreign Ministry source said ADIZs have not been listed on the official agenda of the meeting, scheduled to run until March 14. The government is planning to introduce the issue sometime near the final stages of the meeting.
China’s ADIZ covers airspace over the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan and also claimed by China.
The islands are called Diaoyu by Chinese.